staff reporter

SPAR has announced its support for The Northern Ireland Pork and Bacon Forum’s ‘Assured Origin’ Scheme, designed to promote Northern Irish pork products to shoppers throughout Northern Ireland - championing locally produced pork.

SPAR has made a commitment to stock NI Pork throughout their own brand ‘enjoy local’ range – live across stores from 16th March 2015. To celebrate, SPAR has created the ‘NI Pork Sizzler Month’ in association with NI Pork, went live on 25th May – promoting local pork in store and online, encouraging shoppers to engage online for their chance to win prizes. The activity coincides with NI Pork’s TV advertising campaign showcasing local pork.

Deirdre McIvor, Chief Executive Officer of The Northern Ireland Pork & Bacon Forum added: “We are delighted SPAR has come on board to support NI Pork’s ‘Assured Origin’ scheme. We endeavour to protect and support the pig industry here in Northern Ireland and to get support from a retail partner such as SPAR is invaluable. I really hope shoppers enjoy ‘NI Pork Sizzler Month’ and that they take the opportunity to try our tasty, top quality NI pork.”

‘Assured Origin’ NI pork is 100% Northern Irish and guarantees the highest standards. A key role of NI Pork is to encourage retailers to commit to local pork and educate shoppers on the quality and high production standards of the products – supporting the vital pig industry, sustaining over 400 farming families and 2,000 local jobs.

Bronagh Henderson, Brand Marketing Manager at the Henderson Group comments: “Supporting local producers is at the heart of our business and has been for over 100 years. We welcome the opportunity to champion NI Pork and promote quality which is integral to our new ‘enjoy local’ range.”

To win one of three top range gas barbecues shoppers are asked to like the competition on Facebook, 20 runners up will also win a mini portable barbecue for those summer road trips. Shoppers can also win spot prizes by uploading photos of themselves out barbecuing and enjoying NI Pork.

For all the latest on NI Pork Sizzler Month and details on how you could win - watch out for #SPARSIZZLERS @SPARNI on Twitter and Facebook and NI Pork on Facebook, @NIPORK for Twitter.